Elliot Lee

I just read a thread on sitepoint where someone questions the reasoning behind swithcing to Apache from IIS. Here’s a compilation of interesting points to consider.

“It is the most secure, reliable, and scalable platform for web-enabled enterprises…”

“The nature of Open Source software provides a major advantage to Apache over IIS: namely that Open Source software is developed to fit users needs, while packaged software is created to fit market segments, and product categories. The last I checked, Microsoft offered no less than 20 server products. While it’s true that there are at least that many flavors of free web servers (including many variations of Apache), the difference is that you will waste a huge amount of time, money, and effort trying to sort out your company’s requirements (and to no lesser extent, Microsoft’s licensing requirements) while you try to meet your business goals. Do you need a content server, a certificate server, a mail server, a web server, an image server, a proxy server etc? With Apache, you can install it, configure it, and use it. Should you find out later that there is a better solution for your needs, you are not stuck with unused licenses, or add-on product fees. You probably already know this, but there are a slew of programs, fee structures, and licensing costs for each Microsoft server product, AND, they keep changing those programs as they evolve their product line to continually extract more money from their customers. You face none of that licensing nightmare with Apache.”

Apache is more secure and less vulnerable to hackers because of the open source software model. Microsoft believes in security by obscurity (not allowing anyone to see the code). Whether we see the code or not, security flaws will be found. Apache of course has security problems also. However, they can be found and fixed by the end user.

In addition, Apache is more scalable (powers the Amazon.com website) and comes in every flavor you could ever want.

As many people know, a scan of the fortune 1000 sites by Port80 Software puts Microsoft 54.1% of the market share, with Netscape’s server in second place. Why are companies choosing IIS or Netscape server? Because there is a greater SENSE of security. Is it more secure? No! They have money to burn and they have been influenced by Microsoft’s ONE BILLION+ DOLLAR advertising campaign.

Who would’ve believed that a non-proprietary and free webserver would be so popular when Microsoft gives you the opportunity to lock yourself into monopoly driven endless licensing upgrade cycle?

With proprietary software, you don’t know what you’re really getting. You don’t know what’s happening under the binary. Just because many don’t complain about something doesn’t mean they’re not being disadvantaged. I could steal 10 cents a day from you and you probably wouldn’t notice. Does that mean my theft would be permissible?

Impartial, informed observers have been saying for a very long time: Microsoft is a monopoly and illegally maintain this. That a major customer of theirs (HP) felt strongly enough that they disliked dealing with Microsoft sufficiently enough to go on record as stating that if they had alternative suppliers, they would deal with them instead, is surely a strong indication of Microsoft’s nature.

I posted this in the thread, but I’m also recording it here. It’s interesting enough.